$ printf '2017/01/01 * Stuff\n  A  $1\n  B' | ledger --pedantic -f - bal
While parsing file "", line 3:
While balancing transaction from streamed input:
Unbalanced remainder is:
                  $1
Amount to balance against:
                  $1
Error: Transaction does not balance

$ printf '2017/01/01 * Stuff\n  A  $1\n  B\n' | ledger --pedantic -f - bal
                  $1  A
                 $-1  B
--------------------
                   0